The Artificial Intelligence Podcast

Google DeepMind and Isomorphic Labs have announced the upgraded version of their artificial intelligence technology, AlphaFold3. This new version has the potential to revolutionize the understanding of the human body and aid in the fight against diseases. AlphaFold3 can predict the three-dimensional shape of proteins, as well as forecast the behavior of other microscopic mechanisms such as DNA and RNA. By extending the capabilities of AlphaFold, Google DeepMind aims to streamline the development of new drugs and vaccines, saving valuable time in experimental work and enabling research that was previously impossible. This promising advancement holds great potential for revolutionizing the medical field and improving human health.

Metal Archives, a popular metal music website, has announced that it will ban AI-generated metal music from its listings. The decision comes in response to an increasing number of bands submitting AI-generated music to the site. Metal Archives aims to create a comprehensive database of metal music, focusing on preserving art and human expression. The site will now require evidence to prove that submitted music is not AI-generated, such as behind-the-scenes material or statements from bands or labels. While the ban aims to preserve the human element in metal music, Metal Archives acknowledges that mistakes may occur and hopes to minimize errors with user assistance. The ban may also extend to AI-generated artwork.

The Biden administration is reportedly considering imposing restrictions on China's access to advanced AI models in an effort to protect U.S. AI technology. The Department of Commerce is exploring regulating the export of proprietary or closed source AI models. This move would complement previous measures aimed at preventing the export of sophisticated AI chips to China. However, the rapidly evolving nature of the AI industry poses a challenge for regulators. The proposed restrictions have been criticized by the Chinese Embassy as "economic coercion." Concerns are raised about the potential misuse of AI models by U.S. adversaries for cyber attacks or the development of biological weapons. The regulatory proposal is still under discussion, highlighting U.S. efforts to address China's AI ambitions.

Open AI has sparked criticism by considering allowing users to create AI-generated pornography and other explicit content with its products. The company maintains that its ban on deepfakes will still apply to adult material, but is exploring the possibility of "responsibly" generating NSFW content, such as erotica and extreme gore. While Open AI clarifies that it has no intention of creating AI pornography and prioritizes the protection of children, concerns have been raised about potential exploitation and the company's ability to limit harmful material. The debate has prompted discussions about the ethical boundaries and responsibilities of companies in developing such technology.

Social media platform X has introduced a new feature called "AI Audience" that enables advertisers to define target audiences using AI. Advertisers can input a brief description of their target audience, and X's AI system will generate a pool of relevant users within seconds. While some users praised the feature as a game changer, others expressed concerns about potential biases and stereotypes. The move aligns with X owner Elon Musk's proactive approach to integrating AI into the platform. Despite some skepticism, the overall response to the new feature has been positive, with users seeing it as a smart development for advertisers.

OpenAI's Chat GPT has played a significant role in popularizing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) among consumers. Machine learning, a subfield of AI, is being applied in real-world applications, with companies like Google and Microsoft leading the way in developing AI technologies and hiring machine learning engineers. Machine learning involves using algorithms and statistical models for computers to learn from patterns in data. It has applications in various industries, including finance, healthcare, entertainment, and publishing. Machine learning engineers are highly paid professionals, with an average salary of $165,685, and the highest-paying locations are Silicon Valley, New York, and Seattle. To become a machine learning engineer, a background in computer science, mathematics, or engineering is typically required, and there are various educational resources available for learning machine learning. The demand for machine learning engineers is expected to grow as AI advances and its applications become more widespread.

New York-based startup Hungryroot is using artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce food waste and provide a more personalised food delivery experience. Customers answer questions about their preferences, allergies, health goals and cooking habits, and the AI-powered technology recommends recipes and grocery items accordingly. Customers can review and make changes to their order before delivery, and Hungryroot can minimise its own waste by recommending items based on availability. These efforts have led to an impressive 80% reduction in food waste at Hungryroot's facilities, and the company has achieved profitability by efficiently spending and building a business that customers love. Hungryroot has raised $75m in investments to support its approach.

Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model, called TRTpred, that can accurately predict tumor-killing immune cells. The AI model was trained using gene-expression profiles from 235 T cell receptors (TCRs) of patients with metastatic melanoma. The model was able to accurately identify tumor-reactive T cells with a 90% accuracy rate. The researchers further refined the selection process by applying algorithms to identify T cells with high binding strength to tumor antigens. The combination of TRTpred and the algorithmic filters, known as MixTRTpred, was validated in mice by identifying tumor-reactive T cells capable of eliminating tumors. The researchers believe this AI model has the potential to revolutionize cancer immunotherapies by offering personalized targeting of the most effective tumor-killing T cells.

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, plans to expand its generative AI offerings for ads. These tools will enable advertisers to automatically create variations of images and add text on top of them. The company stated that the tool will initially be launched in a test form without watermarks. However, the company views watermarks as an important safety feature and is working on how labeling will work for ads. Meta's move to expand its AI offerings comes as it invests billions in building and supporting its AI models. Google has also announced a similar expansion of its AI ads tools.